Interbike 2014: Thomson Dropper Seatposts, Singlespeed Cranks, and Mountain Bikes

Everyone knows Thomson for their insanely nice handlebars, stems, and seatposts but let’s be honest: those parts are kinda boring because they just sit there. Bikes parts that bounce and spin get all the glory so lucky for us, Thomson is continuing to move into parts that move.

Elite dropper seatpost

Three diameters to choose from: 27.2, 30.9, and 31.6. The top post with the red hardware on the bottom is the Covert model for internal cable routing.

According to our recent gear survey, the Thomson Elite dropper seatpost is one of the best on the market, which is impressive given that it’s only been available for less than a year and a half. The Elite offers 125mm of travel (about 5-inches) and the big news this year is they’re working on bringing out new 4-inch and 6-inch versions. The company also still offers the Elite in a 27.2in diameter, which should be welcome news to those with steel frames or older rigs.

Singlespeed cranks

Thomson is working on a complete singlespeed crankset package called the Crate Motor that includes crank arms, chainring, sprocket ring, bashguard, and bottom bracket. The crankset is still in the prototype stage but expect to see Thomson’s fine machining on the rings and bashguard. No word on whether the words “bash me baby” shown here will make it onto the final bashguard.

Thomson bikes

thomson4 — I’m tempted to buy this bike for the headbadge alone.

At the Thomson booth I mostly ignored the titanium mountain bike on display, thinking it was just a promotional piece to showcase Thomson parts. But it turns out this is a Thomson bike that you can buy, and it debuted at Eurobike just a few weeks ago.

The company uses the word “elegant” to describe their hardtail mountain bikes, and I don’t disagree. The Thomson Elite titanium frame is fabricated by Lynsky in Tennessee and is offered in both 27.5 and 29 inch versions.

The Elite 27.5 features the Thomson Elite Covert dropper post with internal cable routing, plus all the other bits you’d expect like Thomson bars and stem. It’s even fitted with a special-edition WTB Silverado saddle created just for Thomson.

Unlike the Elite 275, the Elite 29 will feature sliding dropouts and will ship with the company’s new singlespeed crankset, the Crate Motor. For those looking for a more geared experience, the drivetrain can be converted.

Thomson is currently taking preorders for the Elite mountain bikes, and you can even choose to pick the bike up at their Macon, GA factory and take a lap on their very own mountain bike trail. How’s that for service!